Missing scene from Season 7\u2019s \u201cThe Fighters\u201d written by Robert L. Goodwin<\/p>\n
Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0\u00a0Word Count:\u00a0 792<\/p>\n
Heavyweight prizefighter Hank Kelly, his manager Ross Dugan, and up-and-coming contender Charlie Powers travel the circuit challenging locals to fights for money.\u00a0 Powers is looking to raise enough funds to get a match with the current American champion while Hank just wants to earn enough money to buy a chicken ranch in hopes of a better life for himself and his wife Ruby.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Joe and others persuade Hoss to accept the challenge for the $200 purse.\u00a0 When Charlie refuses to fight, Hank steps into the ring over the protests of his wife.\u00a0 Hank proves to be a tough champion and it looks like he will win, but Hoss throws a punch that nearly kills him prompting Ruby to call Hoss \u201can animal.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n At home that evening, with a morose Joe looking on, Ben tries to convince Hoss that he is not to blame for Hank\u2019s condition.\u00a0 Having said all he can, Ben tells Hoss to go to bed and get some sleep.\u00a0 As a weary Hoss climbs the stairs, Joe moves up next to Ben and says, \u201cThis whole thing started over a silly $200 bet.\u201d\u00a0 The compassionate gaze Ben cast in Hoss\u2019 direction turns into a hard glare when he shifts his focus to Joe. \u00a0And there the scene ends.<\/em><\/p>\n Or maybe not\u2014<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blink of an Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis whole thing started over a silly $200 bet,\u201d Joe whispered as he watched Hoss trudge upstairs.\u00a0 When he turned, he saw the fierce disapproval in his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just me, you know,\u201d Joe defended himself.\u00a0 \u201cThere were others who were egging him on as well.\u00a0 It was just a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA joke!\u00a0 You think what happened is funny?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa.\u00a0 Of course not.\u00a0 I mean\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. it just wasn\u2019t meant to turn out this way.\u00a0 It was all in fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the trouble with these schemes of yours, son.\u00a0 They often turn out in a way you don\u2019t expect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t mean them to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not, but Joseph when are you going to learn that people can get hurt?\u00a0 Remember what happened last year with Bearcat?\u00a0 Hoss broke the man\u2019s ribs in that wrestling match.\u00a0 And I\u2019m not talking just about others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss gets hurt, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few bruises maybe, but nothing\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014but everything,\u201d Ben said, looking Joe in the eye.\u00a0 \u201cI know Hoss is your big brother and you think he is indestructible.\u00a0 But inside .\u00a0.\u00a0. inside he\u2019s vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Joe hung his head and swallowed hard before adding, \u201cI saw what it did to him when Mrs. Kelly called him an animal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben hissed as he grabbed an elbow and forcibly shoved his son away from the stairs afraid that Hoss would hear.<\/p>\n With a last glance upward over his shoulder, Joe moved into the dining room and sat down in his usual spot.\u00a0 Almost immediately, Hop Sing appeared with two cups of hot coffee and the pot.<\/p>\n Ben walked behind Joe\u2019s chair and squeezed his son\u2019s neck, lingering a moment before moving on.<\/p>\n \u201cSon, I\u2019m going to ask something of you I haven\u2019t before.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyebrows knitted together and he waited.<\/p>\n \u201cNormally, it would be Adam to whom Hoss would turn after an incident like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe acknowledged the statement with a small nod.\u00a0 His two older brothers shared an uncanny ability to communicate without words, often just a look passing between them that he didn\u2019t understand.\u00a0 Probably it had to do with the years they spent together\u2014just the two of them\u2014while Pa was busy eking out living for them and pursuing his dream.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s always been there for Hoss; helping him understand what he was feeling and putting things in perspective; helping him cope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you asking Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s gone now.\u00a0 I\u2019m asking you to be the one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe one to what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo listen.\u00a0 Really listen.\u00a0 Try to understand what he\u2019s feeling and help him come to terms with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked doubtful.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll come to you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n A knowing, wistful shadow crossed Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYou would; not Hoss.\u00a0 Not as a first choice anyway.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be you to whom he talks . . . if he talks\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0and if he does, I\u2019m asking you to listen carefully and do your best to help him.\u00a0 Will you do that for me?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe searched his father\u2019s face for some sign that this was a joke, but saw none.\u00a0 The earnestness of his father\u2019s request hung in the air.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and nodded his assent even as he wondered how he came to be the older brother in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n December 2013<\/p>\n Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.\u00a0 The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n